Stocks ended mostly higher across the Asia-Pacific region Tuesday, with share indexes in Japan and Australia gaining as Sony Corp. advanced after a broker upgrade and BHP Billiton fronted a rebound among resource stocks.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 index rose 146.18 points, or 0.86 percent, to 17,237.77 while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index fell 131.58 points, or 0.7 percent, to 19,898.08.
Consumer electronics and steel companies led the gains, after Goldman Sachs lifted its view on the consumer electronics sector. Sony Corp. rose 6.53 percent to 5,550 yen (US$46.64) and Pioneer Corp. rose 4.00 percent to 1,716 yen (US$14.42).
Elsewhere:
BANGKOK: Thai shares dropped 2.7 percent to a three-week low of 616.75, as blue chips tumbled on worries about government controls of foreign investment.
JAKARTA: Indonesia shares dropped 1.8 percent to 1,780.88, hurt by fears that the Thai government's decision to limit foreign ownership in telecom, agricultural companies to 50 percent may inspire foreign investors to pull out from the region.
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian shares rose, buoyed by bargain hunting after recent losses. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index of 100 blue chips rose 0.5 percent to 1,118.96 points.
MANILA: Philippine shares ended slightly higher on a modest rebound after three sessions of losses as investors remain cautious. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index rose 20 points, or 0.7 percent, at 2,972.72 from 2,952.32.
MUMBAI: Indian shares dipped, dragged down by some banks and Reliance Communications as nervous investors booked profits ahead of the earnings season, which begins later this week. The Bombay Stock Exchange's benchmark 30-stock Sensitive Index, or Sensex, ended down 0.6 percent, or 85.82 points, at 13,650.96.
SEOUL: South Korean shares rose, snapping four straight declines, led by bank and construction stocks. The Korea Composite Stock Price Index rose 3.53 points, or 0.3 percent, to 1,374.34.
SHANGHAI: China's shares surged to a record high close, helped by strong earnings forecasts and China Life Insurance Co.'s stellar trading debut. The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index jumped 3.7 percent to 2,807.80, its highest close so far. The Shenzhen Composite Index rose 2.6 percent to 594.16.
SINGAPORE: Singapore's shares were higher, led by gains in Wall Street as well as in Singapore Airlines and some property stocks. The benchmark Straits Times Index rose 8.35 points, or 0.3 percent, to finish at 3,008.35 points.
TAIPEI: Taiwanese shares gained 0.7 percent, on strength in the technology and financial sectors, reversing a two-session losing streak. The weighted index of the Taiwan Stock Exchange gained 29.48 points to close at 7,790.01.
WELLINGTON: New Zealand's stocks closed higher, following improved offshore leads and the strong performance of leading shares. The benchmark NZX-50 index rose 24 points, or 0.6 percent, to 4,052.65 on moderate volumes.
SYDNEY: Australian shares rose, lifted by a rebound in resource stocks like Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index rose 87.7 points, or 1.5 percent, to 5,589.70.
With files from wire services
